How to get the most from your classes :-)

What to expect at Allegro Music Together

Participation - Be ready to get silly! We expect every adult to participte. Why? You are an excellent model for your child regardless of your musical ability. If you are enthusiastic and show your appreciation for music, your child will feel free to experience music to its fullest.

Your Child - Please remember that our classes are non-performance oriented. That means that we do not expect children to memorize and recite songs for us - that is simply not developmentally appropriate! What childre ages 0-5 will do in class varies greatly! They may move constantly, sit and observe, taste the instruments, try mimicking sounds and rhythms, or wait to make noise until they are in the car driving home! Despite the variety of reactions in class they are all processing musical information that with time and experience will emerge as music competency.

Time - Our classes aim to start right on time so please arraive early so your children have sufficient "wrm up" time to get comfortable with their space. Books, instruments and other props are provided to engage your children and set the tone for the class before we begin. Please try to be present for the Hello Song - it is so important for children to participate in this ritual of being welcomed to class when they hear their own name. The "Hello Song" is usually a family favaorite and is often the first Music Together® song children learn, simply because they are engaged, it is simple, and we repeat it every class. So don't miss out :-)

Health Policy & Missed Classes - The health of our families is very important to us. We take time to sanitize the room, instruments and materials after each class. We set aside and clean more thoroughly those items that have been mouthed by babies and toddlers. If you are unable to attend a class please inform Miss Sally by text/email/phone ASAP. PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILD TO CLASS SICK! If you child has a fever or contagious symptons of any sort, kindly arrange to make-up the class. Please use the Make-up Scheduler to schedule your make-up. 2 make-up classes are included in tuition, and do not extend into future semesters. When possible, a 10th week for make-ups is offered each Fall/Winter/Spring term.

Chatting - For the children's benefit, we aim to make class time a music-immersion experience. We hope you find friends and community in class, but please save chatting for before and after class. Talking is distracting to your child, the teacher, to other families, and draws out class time. Between the songs is sometimes the most exciting part of class as your child may audiate (imagine the sounds in their mind) or mimic the lasat tones or rhythms! If you talk, you ay just miss those precious musical moments!

Running - Children are certainly encouraged to move in class! We will jump, spin, wiggle, roll and more in teacher-led whole group activities. For safety reasons we have a No Running policy. Teachers may assist and redirect children, but parents/grownups are strictly responsible for their own child's safety.

Phones & Cameras - Please mute or set to vibrate your cell phone during class. If you must answer a call, please leave the room to do so, but please remember that classes are only 45 minutes, and your participation is essential. You undoubtedly want to take photes/videos of your child making music! However, since your participation is essential, please refrain. Occasionally pictures may be taken during the Play Along Jam. Allegro Music Together may occasionally take photos to post on our website or Facebook Page for promotional or educational purposes.

Food & Drink - Please feel comfortable to nurse or bottle feed your baby in class at your own discretion. Other than that, we aske that snacks NOT appear in class.

Siblings, Family, & Guests - Siblings are welcometo visit oncer per term. Siblings older than 5 years need to understand the responsibility of participating and setting a good example for their younger peers. Parents & Grandparents are welcome, space permitting. We also encourage you to bring friends with children age 0-5 to a class to find out if they would like to joi us for a future semester. Please contact Sally first before brining children/friends that are not registered.

Class Cancellations - If a class has insuficient enrollment, it may be combined with another class that precedes or follows it on the same day; or it may be cancelled, in which case you may choose to be refunded or join another Allegro Music Together class. Single classes may be cancelled to due snow or other extaordinary circumstances. We follow the Hillsboro School District closure schedule. Snow days will be posted on the Home Page of the website as well as email.

Bringing the Harmony Home®

Enjoy your songbook! Consider them a storybook; look for the pictures of songs enjoyed. Sing the songs for fun, and with tuck-in time before the lullaby.

Listen to the CD! Hearing the music daily during the week supports the music learning and enjoyment in class.

Enter the Family Music Zone! Simple instructions are inside your CD jacket. This puts the song collection into your computer for MP3 players as well. Plus enjoy enriching resources and activities for those rainy days ;-)